The CEO of Volkswagen shares his impressions in China, saying the discipline and execution capability of Chinese people have left even this German stunned!
Recently, Oliver Blume, CEO of the German Volkswagen Group, publicly stated in an interview with Germany's Sunday Bild newspaper that the German automotive industry should learn from China’s industrial planning. He particularly praised China’s high level of discipline and strong execution capacity demonstrated in industrial development.
For instance, when management issues directives—such as adjusting production schedules or responding to urgent orders—production lines can respond swiftly. Data shows that through optimized management, factories can achieve "one person operating multiple machines," and even reconfigure entire production lines overnight to adapt to market changes.
When faced with seemingly impossible delivery deadlines—such as 36 hours of nonstop work to complete debugging—Chinese workers often display an unwavering commitment: “No conditions, only solutions.” This willingness to temporarily sacrifice personal comfort for a common goal (such as ensuring on-time delivery) is a cultural trait difficult to replicate in many Western factories.
For decades, German industry has taken pride in its "craftsmanship" and relentless pursuit of technology. However, in the wave of electrification and intelligence, this advantage is now under challenge. Blume admitted that Volkswagen is currently facing over 150 competitors in the Chinese market, all demonstrating powerful innovation drive and extremely rapid iteration speed.
Data reveals that Volkswagen’s deliveries in China declined by 8% year-on-year in 2025, while local Chinese brands continue to expand their market share in new energy vehicles. This shifting dynamic has placed unprecedented competitive pressure on traditional giants like Volkswagen. When former students have become formidable rivals—and even leaders in certain fields—it becomes a pragmatic choice to re-examine and learn from the success stories of these competitors.
Daogē believes that what Blume admires—the discipline and execution ability—reflects a unique Eastern culture rooted in the relationship between collective and individual. European culture today places great emphasis on individual freedom, which is inherently a two-sided coin.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860872519960588/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.